Celebration marks art teacher’s 100th birthday

EVERETT — Schack Art Center is throwing a birthday party for well-known, well-respected and well-loved former Everett Community College art instructor Russell Day, who has a gallery named after him on campus.

Day is turning 100. The birthday party will be Saturday at Schack Art Center, 2921 Hoyt Ave., Everett.

Though the party is invitation only, Schack is sending a shout-out to anybody who was influenced by or knew Day to come and celebrate as well.

Day created the art program at what was then Everett Junior College in 1948, a program that persists today at Everett Community College. He was an important instructor there from the 1950s through the 1970s, influencing such greats as internationally known artist Chuck Close whose work has been exhibited in the New York Museum of Modern Art.

Day is known as an artistic pioneer in design, particularly in jewelry and glass, and has also influenced glass artist Dale Chihuly.

“He totally has it all together and he’s so amazing,” said Schack gallery director Carie Collver.